Oral suction device

ABSTRACT

An oral suction device includes a suction catheter having a suction portion at a first end, a shell surrounding the suction portion, and a suction tubing connector on a second end opposite the first end. The shell includes a hydrogel.

BACKGROUND

Endotracheal intubation is used to provide mechanical ventilation topatients who are unable to breath on their own. A tube is inserted intothe trachea through the mouth to maintain an open airway, while aventilator moves breathable gases in and out of the lungs. Mechanicalventilation requires keeping pressure in the lungs from the ventilator.An inflatable cuff connected to the endotracheal tube and positionedinside the trachea, seals the lungs and allows ventilation. Theinflatable cuff also prevents oral secretions from reaching the lungs,when the glottis is kept open due to intubation. The inflatable cuffshould provide the proper amount of pressure against the tracheal wallin order to effectively seal the lungs. If the pressure exerted by theinflated cuff is too high, the cuff may cause damage to the trachea.Insufficient pressure may result in insufficient sealing of the trachea,thus allowing aspiration of oral and gastric secretions into the lungs,with may result in ventilator-associated pneumonia. In practice,however, pressure sufficient to prevent all fluids from entering thelungs will cause damage to the trachea.

Oral secretions are produced by salivary glands, whose ducts open intothe oral cavity. Salivary glands may produce approximately one liter oforal secretions per day. If oral secretions, potentially containinginfectious bacteria, enter the lungs patients are exposed to the risk ofcontracting life-threatening infections, such as ventilator-associatedpneumonia. Removal of oral secretions from intubated patients wouldreduce the risk of contracting ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Endotracheal tubes having lumen suction tubes for suctioning oralsecretions are known. For example, International Application,International Publication Number WO 92/007602, describes an endotrachealtube, which provides gentle suction action to the tracheal wall. Theendotracheal tube includes a main lumen, and an inflatable cuffconnected to a cuff lumen for inflating and deflating the inflatablecuff. The endotracheal tube also includes a double lumen, which extendsparallel inside the wall of the endotracheal tube and ends proximal to asuction eye, located proximal to the inflatable cuff. The double lumenincludes a first lumen, and a second lumen, separated by a separationwall. In order to exercise gentle suction, the separating wallterminates approximately 5 mm from the beginning of the suction eye.However, if the cuff does not make a good seal, or when the cuff isdeflated to remove the device from the patient's trachea, oralsecretions present in the trachea may reach the lungs. Similar devicesare described in German Patent No. DE 69126797, and InternationalApplications, International Publication Numbers WO 95/23624, WO99/38548, and WO 2010/067225.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, the present invention is an oral suction device,comprising a suction catheter having a suction portion at a first end, ashell surrounding the suction portion, and a suction tubing connector ona second end opposite the first end. The shell comprises a hydrogel.

In a second aspect, the present invention is a method of removing fluidsfrom a patient, comprising applying suction to the oral suction deviceof any of the preceding claims. The oral suction device is within theoral cavity of the patient.

In a third aspect, the present invention is an oral suction device,comprising a suction catheter having a suction portion, a sponge, ashell, a suction tubing connector on a first end of the suctioncatheter, an electronic temperature probe on a second end of the suctioncatheter opposite the suction tubing connector, an esophagealstethoscope comprising a stethoscope tube having a listening end, a sealseparating the listening end of the esophageal stethoscope from thesuction portion, a stethoscope connector on a first end of thestethoscope tube opposite the listening end, and one or more leads inelectrical communication with the electronic temperature probe. Thesponge is radiopaque and surrounds the suction portion. The shellcomprises a hydrogel and surrounds the sponge and the suction portion.The stethoscope tube enters the suction catheter near the suction tubingconnector and is located within the suction catheter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an oral suction device.

FIG. 2 is a cut away view of an oral suction device.

FIG. 3 is a dissection view showing a lateral aspect of a head and neckwith an oral suction device.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate retention connectors.

FIG. 5 shows an oral suction device including a vacuum lock relief tube.

FIG. 6 shows an oral suction device including an esophageal stethoscopeand electronic temperature probe.

FIG. 7A shows an alternative oral suction device including an esophagealstethoscope and electronic temperature probe.

FIG. 7B shows a close up of the alternative oral suction deviceincluding an esophageal stethoscope and electronic temperature probeshown in FIG. 7A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A problem with using a suction device in a patient's mouth for anextended period of time is that contact between the device and the oralmucosa may cause abrasions and ulcerations in the patient's mouth.Furthermore, removal of oral secretions from the mouth or throat bysuction may cause desiccation of the mouth or throat, leading topersistent cough, fungal infections, cavities, periodontitis and ulcers.It is desirable to avoid the onset of such conditions in an intubatedpatient. The present invention makes use of the discovery that an oralsuction device that includes a hydrogel provides gentle contact with themucosa and maintains the mouth and throat wet, thus avoiding mouth andthroat ulcerations and dryness when the device is used on an intubatedpatient, and can prevent or inhibit the occurrence of ventilatorassociate pneumonia. Furthermore, it has also been discovered thatproviding suction throughout the mouth (both front and back) and in thethroat, provides efficient removal of oral secretions. Preferably, theoral suction device suctions away fluids in the oral cavity, thehypopharynx and the supraglotic regions. Since intermittent suction isalways on and not dependent on an operator for timing of suction, itwill avoid the build-up of fluids and is less expensive to operate.Since the oral suction device may be attached to the endotracheal tube,it is safely fixed in position and may be easily removed.

The oral suction device of the present invention includes a suctiontubing connector, a suction catheter, and a shell. Optionally, thedevice may include a retention connector, a sponge, an esophagealstethoscope, and an electronic temperature probe. The oral suctiondevice of the present invention is adapted for placement into apatient's mouth. The shell surrounds the suction portion of the suctioncatheter and is positioned within the oral cavity and oropharynx of thepatient. Optionally, a sponge surrounds the suction portion of thesuction catheter and the shell surrounds the sponge. Optionally, thedevice may include an esophageal stethoscope and/or electronictemperature probe, which is inserted in the patient's esophagus.Optionally, a connector may be included, which connects the oral suctiondevice to an endotracheal tube.

FIG. 1 illustrates an oral suction device 100. The oral suction deviceincludes a suction tubing connector 102, which is connected to a suctioncatheter 106. The suction tubing connector may be connected to anexternal suction machine (not illustrated). Optionally, a retentionconnector 104 is connected to the suction catheter, for fixing thelocation of the oral suction device to an external device, such as anendotracheal tube. A suction end 110 of the oral suction device includesthe suction portion (not shown) of the suction catheter 106. The suctionend may be oval in shape, or may have an expanded figure-8 shape with anarrow portion 107 in the middle.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cut away view of the suction end of an oral suctiondevice. The suction end of the oral suction device includes a shell 108surrounding an optional sponge 112. The sponge surrounds the suctionportion 113 of the suction catheter 106. When the optional sponge isabsent, the shell may be thicker, taking the place of the sponge. Theshell includes a plurality of holes 114 to allow rapid removal offluids. The suction portion of the suction catheter also includes aplurality of holes 116, in fluid communication with the optional spongeand holes in the hydrogel, for suctioning fluids.

FIG. 3 illustrates the positioning of the oral suction device 100 in apatient. The illustrations shows a cross section of a portion of apatient's head 111, with emphasis on the oral cavity 118, the oropharynx124, and including the trachea 128, the esophagus 126 and the epiglottis130; portions of the head and neck have been left out of theillustration for clarity. As shown, the patient is intubated with anendotracheal tube 120 having an inflated endotracheal cuff 122. Thesuction end 110 of the oral suction device extends from the front of theoral cavity, through the pharyngeal isthmus, into the oropharynx, andpreferably makes contact with the back of the throat. The narrowersection (107 in FIG. 1) of the suction end of the oral suction devicewill preferably be located at the pharyngeal isthmus. As illustrated,the retention connector 104 holds the oral suction device to theendotracheal tube. Once positioned within the patient, the suctiontubing connector 102 may be connected to an intermittent suction devicetypically found in an intensive care unit (ICU) of a hospital, so thatfluids, such oral secretions, nasal secretions and/or gastric fluids maybe removed through the suction catheter 106. Preferably, the oralsuction device suctions away fluids in the oral cavity, the hypopharynxand the supraglotic regions.

Suction catheters are flexible plastic tubes, which include an open holeon one (where they may be attached to the suction tubing connector) andon the opposite end a suction portion having a plurality of holes.Suction catheters including a suction tubing connector are commerciallyavailable, for example SAFE-T-VAC™ single suction catheters availablefrom Abbey Medical (Fresno, Calif.), GENTLE FLO™ suction catheters byCovidien available from Health Products Express, Inc. (Boston, Mass.),and french suction catheter with depth markings (MEDLINE DYND 41902)available from Medline industries, Inc. (Mundelein, Ill.). Preferably,the suction catheter has a length of 10 to 40 cm, more preferably 15 to30 cm, including 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and29 cm. Preferably, the suction portion of the suction catheter has alength 0.25 to 0.75 percent of the length of the suction catheter, forexample a length of 2.5 to 30 cm, or 4 to 22 cm, including 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 cm. The number of holespresent in the suction portion of the suction catheter is preferably, 6to 100, more preferably 10 to 60, including 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36,40, 44, 48, 52 and 56 holes. The holes may form a regular pattern, or anirregular pattern. The diameter of the suction catheter is preferably0.2 to 2 cm, more preferably 0.3 to 1.5 cm, including 0.4, 0.5, 0.6,0.7, 0.8, 0.9 and 1.0 cm. Preferably, the suction portion of the suctioncatheter is surrounded by the shell, so that all liquids must passthrough the shell during use of the oral suction device. The suctiontubing connect is preferably 2 to 10 cm long, more preferably 3 to 8 cmlong, including 4, 5, 6 and 7 cm long. The suction tubing connectormakes a liquid tight and preferably air tight seal when connected to asuction catheter at an end opposite from the suction portion. Thesuction tubing connector is adapted to make a fluid tight seal with aflexible and elastic tubing connected to an intermittent suction device.

Preferably, the oral suction device is sterile. Preferably the suctioncatheter is sterile. Preferably, the sponge is sterile. Preferably,shell is sterile. Preferably, one or more of the suction catheter, thesponge and the shell are sterile.

Sponges may be cut to the desired size and shape from any surgical ornasal sponge, preferably radiopaque, for example DEROYAL® SurgicalSponges containing an X-ray detectable radiopaque element, availablefrom DeRoyal (Powell, Tenn.). Another example is sponges described inU.S. Pat. No. 7,465,847. The sponge must be large enough to surround thesuction portion of the suction catheter. Preferably, the sponge has alength of 3 to 35 cm, or 5 to 25 cm, including 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 cm. The sponge may beoval in shape or may have an expanded figure-8 shape with a narrowportion in the center. Other shapes are also possible. At the widestpoint, the sponge has a width of preferably 2 to 8 cm, more preferably 3to 7 cm, including 4, 5, and 6 cm. At the narrowest point, the sponge ispreferably 2 to 8 cm, more preferably 3 to 7 cm, including 4, 5, and 6cm. The height of the sponge is preferably 0.3 to 4 cm, more preferably0.4 to 3.5 cm, including 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5,1.6, 1.8, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 cm high. The sizing of the sponge is based onthe size after the suction catheter is placed inside it. Furthermore,the sponge may be monolithic, or may be composed of 2, 3, 4 or moreseparate sponges. Sponges with larger pores are preferred, for example20 or 30 pores per inch.

A retention connector may be a C-clip, made of metal or preferablyplastic, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the retentionconnector may be a magnet 145 attached to the suction catheter 106,which mates by magnetic force to a similar magnet 147 attached to theendotracheal tube 120, as illustrated in FIG. 4A. In anotheralternative, the retention connector may be a string 155 attached to thesuction catheter 106, as illustrated in FIG. 4B. The retention connectormay be glued, for example with an adhesive, preferably a biocompatibleadhesive such as LOCTITE® medical device adhesive, available from HenkelCorporation (Rocky Hill, Conn.), to the suction catheter; similarly themagnets 145 and 147 may be attached to the suction catheter andendotracheal tube, respectively, with an adhesive or biocompatibleadhesive. Preferably, the oral suction device is attached to anendotracheal tube during use. In further alternative, the retentionconnector, such as the C-clip, may be formed as a integrated piece withthe suction catheter, to form a monolithic structure.

The shell may be formed of a hydrogel material. The hydrogel materialscontain a polymer, have a high water content, are soft, and arebiocompatible (that is, they do not irritate mucosal tissue when incontact for long periods of time, for example 1 hour, 1 day or 1 week).Examples of hydrogel materials include polyacrylamide, agar-agar,polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), silicone hydrogels, and hydrogels used incontact lenses (for example tefilcon, hioxyfilcon A, lidofilcon,omafilcon A, hefilcon C, phemfilcon, methafilcon A and ocufilcon D) andmixtures thereof. Other examples include polymers and co-polymers of2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate, glyceryl methacrylate, methyl methacrylate,N-vinyl pyrrolidone, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, 2-methacryloyloxyethylphosphorylcholine, ethoxyethyl methacrylate and methacrylic acid. Thehydrogel will also contain water, and may contain one or more salts suchas sodium chloride, buffers, preservatives, plasticisers andpolyethylene glycol. A preferred hydrogel is a mixture of PVP,polyethylene glycol, agar-agar and water; such a material iscommercially available as SWISS THERAPY® Intensive Transdermal Eye Mask,manufactured by Kikgel (Sklodowskiej, Poland) and available from InvotecInternational, Inc. (Jacksonville, Fla.). Methods of making andmaterials for hydrogels are well known. See for example:Maldonado-Codina, C., “Hydrogel lenses—materials and manufacture: areview” Optometry in Practice, 4: 101-15 (2003); Jones et al., “Siliconehydrogel contact lens materials update” (July 2004), available online atwww.siliconehydrogels.org/editorials/index_july.asp andwww.siliconehydrogels.org/editorials/index_august.asp; and Benz Research& Development (BRD), “Advanced lens materials & manufacture technology”,available online at www.benzrd.com/pdf/Advanced Lens Materials 08.pdf.

The shell and/or the optional sponge may be impregnated with one or moreantibiotics. Examples of antibiotics include cephalosporines such asceftriaxone, ceftazidime and cefepime; fluoroquinolones such asciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and moxifloxacin; β-lactams such asampicillin, sulbactam, piperacillin, tazobactam, ticarcillin,clavulanate and ureidopenicillin; carbapenems such as ertapenem,imipenem and meropenem; glycopeptides such as vancomycin; oxazolidinonessuch as linezolid; and aminoglycosides such as gentamicin, amikacin andtobramycin; and mixtures thereof. Alternatively, one or more of theseantibodics, and mixtures thereof, may be administered as a liquid orspray into the patient's mouth, so that it will coat the oral cavityand/or the oropharynx, before being suctioned away by the oral suctiondevice.

The shell must be large enough to surround the suction portion of thesuction catheter, or if an optional sponge is present, surround thesponge. Furthermore, the shell may be fixed to the suction catheter orthe optional sponge simply by being wrapped around it, or by anadhesive, preferably a biocompatible adhesive such as LOCTITE® medicaldevice adhesive, available from Henkel Corporation (Rocky Hill, Conn.).Preferably, the shell has a length of 3 to 35 cm, or 5 to 25 cm,including 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21,22, 23 and 24 cm. The shell may be oval in shape or may have an expandedfigure-8 shape with a narrow portion in the center (as illustrated inFIG. 1). Other shapes are also possible. At the widest point, the shellhas a width of preferably 2 to 8 cm, more preferably 3 to 7 cm,including 4, 5, and 6 cm. At the narrowest point, the shell ispreferably 2 to 8 cm, more preferably 3 to 7 cm, including 4, 5, and 6cm. The height of the shell is preferably 0.3 to 4 cm, more preferably0.4 to 3.5 cm, including 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5,1.6, 1.8, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 cm high. The sizing of the shell is based onthe size after the suction catheter is placed inside it, or when asponge is present, after the sponge is inside it. When a sponge is used,the shell may preferably have a thickness of 0.01 to 3 cm, morepreferably 0.05 to 2 cm, including 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7,0.8, 0.9 and 1 cm. The shell contains a plurality of holes. The numberof holes present in the shell is preferably 10 to 10,000, morepreferably 100 to 1000.

FIG. 5 illustrates an oral suction device 500 including a vacuum lockrelief tube; the suction end 110 of the oral suction device 500 isillustrated as a cut-away to show details of the interior of the suctionend. The oral suction device includes suction catheter 106 connected toa suction tubing connector 102, and a retention connector 104 connectedto the suction catheter. The suction portion of the suction catheter,including holes 116 is surrounded by an optional sponge 112, andsurrounded by a shell 108. Also present is a vacuum lock relief tube502, inside the suction catheter, which extends from suction end of thesuction catheter, to a point between the suction end of the suctioncatheter and the retention connector. A first end 504 of the vacuum lockrelief tube exits through the wall of the suction catheter, and a secondend 506 of the vacuum lock relief tube also exits through the wall ofthe suction catheter, from within the suction end of the oral suctiondevice. In this way the vacuum lock relief tube creates a gas pathwaybetween the atmosphere and the inside of the sponge or shell. If some ofthe holes in the suction portion of the suction catheter are blocked,for example by thick mucus, the amount of suction pulling through theremaining holes and the holes in the shell nearby may be great enough tohold tissue from inside the patient's oral cavity or oropharynx tightlyagainst the oral suction device, creating a “vacuum lock” blocking theflow of fluids into the oral suction device. The vacuum lock relief tubeprevents the creating of a vacuum lock, by allowing atmospheric air fromoutside the patient's mouth to enter into the sponge and shell. Asillustrated an optional radiopaque element 508 is present in the suctioncatheter, and an optional radiopaque element 510 is present in thesponge. The radiopaque element may optionally be present in allembodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates an oral suction device 600 including an esophagealstethoscope and an electronic temperature probe. The oral suction deviceincludes a suction catheter 106 connected to a suction tubing connector102, and a retention connector 104 connected to the suction catheter,while the suction portion (not illustrated) of the suction catheter isinside the suction end 110 of the oral suction device. An electronictemperature probe 602 is located at a first end of a lead tube 604 whichpasses through the suction end of the oral suction device, approximatelyparallel to the suction catheter. Leads 606, which electrically connectthe electronic temperature probe with a monitoring device (notillustrated), pass through the lead tube, and may exit the lead tubethrough an optional lead seal 610. The ends of the leads may beconnected to an optional lead adaptor 608, which is adapted for matingwith a complementary socket on a monitoring device, for completing theelectrical connections between the electronic temperature probe and themonitoring device. The lead tube functions as the esophageal stethoscopeand transmits heart and respiratory sounds for auscultation.

The optional esophageal stethoscope and electronic temperature probe maybe connected to the suction catheter via the retention connector locatedon the lead tube. The esophageal stethoscope and electronic temperatureprobe may be placed in the patient's mouth with the distal tippositioned just above the gastroesophageal junction in the distalportion of the esophagus. The esophageal stethoscope allows auscultationof a patient's heart tones, rates and rhythms, and the electronictemperature probe allows monitoring the patient's core temperature. Anexample of an esophageal stethoscope and electronic temperature probe isthe LIFESOUND™ esophageal stethoscope available from NOVAMED USA(Elmsford, N.Y.).

FIG. 7A illustrates an alternative oral suction device 700 including anesophageal stethoscope and an electronic temperature probe. The oralsuction device includes a suction catheter 106 connected to a suctiontubing connector 102, while the suction portion (not illustrated) of thesuction catheter is inside the suction end 110 of the oral suctiondevice. An electronic temperature probe 702 is located at the oppositeend of the suction catheter from the suction tubing connector. Leads706, which electrically connect the electronic temperature probe with amonitoring device (not illustrated) pass through the suction catheterand may exit the suction catheter at the suction tubing connector. Theends of the leads may be connected to an optional lead adaptor 708,which is adapted for mating with a complementary socket on themonitoring device, for completing the electrical connections between theelectronic temperature probe and the monitoring device. An esophagealstethoscope includes a stethoscope tube 704 with an isolated listeningend 712. The stethoscope tube is connected to a stethoscope connector710 and enters the suction catheter near the suction tubing connector.The stethoscope tube is located within the suction catheter with thelistening end located between the suction end of the suction catheterand the electronic temperature probe. The listening end of thestethoscope is isolated from the suction by a stethoscope seal 709,which improves auscultation by reducing background noise caused by thesuction. The stethoscope seal may be formed using a biocompatiblesealant such as LOCTITE® medical device adhesive.

In the alternative oral suction device shown in FIG. 7A, the diameter ofthe stethoscope tube must be smaller than the diameter of the suctioncatheter. Preferably, the diameter of the stethoscope tube is about halfthe diameter of the suction catheter. For example, the suction cathetermay have a diameter of 6 mm (18 French) and the stethoscope tube mayhave a diameter of 3 mm (9 French). This design is particularly usefulfor anesthesiology use.

FIG. 7B illustrates a close up view of the listening end 712 of theesophageal stethoscope illustrated in FIG. 7A. The stethoscope seal 709surrounds the stethoscope tube 704 to isolate the listening end of theesophageal stethoscope from the suction. The stethoscope seal may belocated at any point along the stethoscope tube between the suction end110 (partially illustrated) and the electronic temperature probe (notillustrated) to vary the length of the listening end. Leads 706 passthrough the stethoscope seal but do not interfere with the noiseisolation provided by the stethoscope seal. The stethoscope tube, leads,and stethoscope seal are all located within the suction catheter 106.

The oral suction device may be used on a patient under generalanesthesia in a hospital's ICU. The oral suction device may be used on apatient undergoing surgery, or may be used on a patient post-surgery.The oral suction device may also be used, for example, on a traumapatient at the location where the trauma occurred, after the patient hasbeen partially or fully sedated. If used on a patient who is not undergeneral anesthesia, it may be desirable to apply a local anesthetic tothe patient's throat before inserting the oral suction device.

In use, the suction end of the oral suction device is inserted in thepatient's oral cavity, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The suction tubingconnector is then connected to a suction device, preferably anintermittent suction device (such as the PUSH-TO-SET™ DigitalIntermittent Suction Unit available from Ohio Medical Corporation(Gurnee, Ill.)), via a flexible elastic tubing. The oral suction devicemay then be connected to an endotracheal tube with the retentionconnector. The oral suction device will then remove fluids, duringperiods of suction, such as oral secretions, nasal secretions and/orgastric fluids, to prevent or inhibit ventilator-associate pneumonia.Medically trained personnel may determine the interval betweensuctioning and the duration of suctioning needed. Intermittentsuctioning avoids the need of an operator, for example a nurse, to bepresent when suctioning is needed.

EXAMPLES Intubated Patient in ICU (Prophetic Example)

Patient #1, age 72, suffering chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) is hospitalized and taken to the ICU, where the patient isadministered general anesthesia and is intubated. After the patient hasbeen sedated, medical personnel introduce an endotracheal tube throughthe patient's mouth and into the trachea. The cuff connected to theendotracheal tube is inflated to avoid gases from the ventilatorescaping from the lungs and refluxing into the trachea. The endotrachealtube is connected to a ventilator. An oral suction device is introducedthrough the patient's mouth, positioning the suction portion such thathalf is in the patient's oral cavity and the other half in the patient'soropharynx. The oral suction device is connected to the endotrachealtube via the retention connector. Correct positioning of the oralsuction device is confirmed by X-ray imaging of the patient's head, asthe oral suction device includes a radiopaque sponge. The oral suctiondevice is connected to an external device which provides intermittentsuction. After three weeks, the patient's condition has been stabilizedand the oral suction device and the endotracheal tube are removed. Thepatient is released and does not develop ventilator-associatedpneumonia.

Intubated Patient Under Anesthesia (Prophetic Example)

Patient #2, age 32, is hospitalized and taken to the operating room forsurgery, where the patient is administered general anesthesia and isintubated. After the patient has been sedated, medical personnelintroduce an endotracheal tube through the patient's mouth and into thetrachea. The cuff connected to the endotracheal tube is inflated toavoid gases from the ventilator escaping from the lungs and refluxinginto the trachea. The endotracheal tube is connected to a ventilator. Anoral suction device with an esophageal stethoscope and an electronictemperature probe is introduced through the patient's mouth, positioningthe suction portion such that half is in the patient's oral cavity andthe other half in the patient's oropharynx, and positioning theelectronic temperature probe such that the distal tip is just above thegastroesophageal junction in the distal portion of the esophagus. Thesuction catheter of the oral suction device is an 18 French tube. Thestethoscope tube is located within the suction catheter and is a 9French tube. The listening end of the stethoscope is isolated from thesuction by a stethoscope seal so that the suction noises do notinterfere with monitoring the patient's heart sounds. The oral suctiondevice is connected to the endotracheal tube via the retentionconnector. An earpiece is connected to the stethoscope connector, andhearing the patient's heart tones confirms correct placement of theelectronic temperature probe. The oral suction device is connected to anexternal device which provides intermittent suction. The leads for theelectronic temperature probe exit the suction catheter near theretention connector and are connected to a lead adapter, which connectsthe electronic temperature probe to a monitoring device. During thesurgery, the patient's heart tones, heart rates, and heart rhythms aremonitored through the esophageal stethoscope without interference fromthe suction. The patient's core temperature is monitored by theelectronic temperature probe. After the surgery is complete, the oralsuction device with the esophageal stethoscope and the electronictemperature probe and the endotracheal tube are removed. The patient istransferred to a recovery room and later released from the hospital. Thepatient does not develop ventilator-associated pneumonia.

REFERENCES

-   1. Sole, M. L., et al., “Oropharyngeal secretion volume in intubated    patients: the importance of oral suctioning”, Am J Crit Care,    20(6):141-45 (2011).-   2. International Application, International Publication Number WO    92/007602.-   3. German Patent No. DE 69126797.-   4. International Applications, International Publication Number WO    95/23624.-   5. International Applications, International Publication Number WO    99/38548.-   6. International Applications, International Publication Number WO    2010/067225.-   7. U.S. Pat. No. 7,465,847.-   8. Maldonado-Codina, C., “Hydrogel lenses—materials and manufacture:    a review” Optometry in Practice, 4: 101-15 (2003).-   9. Jones et al., “Silicone hydrogel contact lens materials update”    (July 2004), available online at    www.siliconehydrogels.org/editorials/index_july.asp and    www.siliconehydrogels.org/editorials/index_august.asp.-   10. Benz Research & Development (BRD), “Advanced lens materials &    manufacture technology”, available online at    www.benzrd.com/pdf/Advanced Lens Materials pdf.

1. An oral suction device, comprising: a suction catheter having asuction portion at a first end, a shell surrounding the suction portion,and a suction tubing connector, on a second end opposite the first end,wherein the shell comprises a hydrogel.
 2. The oral suction device ofclaim 1, further comprising a sponge surrounding the suction portion,wherein the shell surrounds the sponge.
 3. The oral suction device ofclaim 2, wherein the sponge is radiopaque.
 4. The oral suction device ofclaim 1, wherein the hydrogel comprises a polymer, water and a salt. 5.The oral suction device of claim 4, wherein the salt is sodium chloride.6. The oral suction device of claim 1, wherein the suction portion has alength of 2.5 to 30 cm.
 7. The oral suction device of claim 1, whereinthe oral suction device is sterile.
 8. The oral suction device of claim1, further comprising a retention connector attached to the suctioncatheter.
 9. The oral suction device of claim 8, wherein the retentionconnector is a C-clip.
 10. The oral suction device of claim 1, whereinthe hydrogel comprises at least one member selected from the groupconsisting of polyacrylamide; agar-agar; polyvinyl pryrrolidone;silicone hydrogels; and polymers and copolymers of2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate, glyceryl methacrylate, methyl methacrylate,N-vinyl pyrrolidone, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, 2-methacryloyloxyethylphosphorylcholine, ethoxyethyl methacrylate and methacrylic acid. 11.The oral suction device of claim 1, wherein the hydrogel comprisespolyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol, agar-agar and water.
 12. Theoral suction device of claim 1, wherein the hydrogel is impregnated withan antibiotic.
 13. The oral suction device of claim 12, wherein theantibiotic is at least one member selected from the group consisting ofcephalosporines, fluoroquinolones, β-lactams, carbapenems, glycopeptidesand aminoglycosides. 14-15. (canceled)
 16. The oral suction device ofclaim 1, wherein the shell has a length of 5 to 25 cm, a width at awidest point of 3 to 8 cm, a width at a narrowest point of 2 to 7 cm,and a height of 0.3 to 4 cm.
 17. The oral suction device of claim 1,further comprising a vacuum lock relief tube inside the suctioncatheter, wherein the vacuum lock relief tube creates a gas pathway fromatmosphere outside the suction catheter into the sponge or shell.
 18. Amethod of removing fluids from a patient, comprising applying suction tothe oral suction device of claim 1, wherein the oral suction device iswithin the oral cavity of the patient.
 19. The method of claim 18,wherein the patient is intubated. 20-28. (canceled)
 29. The oral suctiondevice of claim 1, further comprising an esophageal stethoscope and anelectronic temperature probe, wherein the esophageal stethoscopecomprises a stethoscope tube having a listening end.
 30. The oralsuction device of claim 1, wherein the stethoscope tube is locatedwithin the suction catheter.
 31. The oral suction device of claim 1,wherein a seal separates the listening end of the esophageal stethoscopefrom the suction portion.
 32. (canceled)